I met with a range of small businesses recently which are very concerned about the lack of access to credit, including overdrafts they had previously enjoyed to facilitate cash flow. There are continuing negative reports about such facilities being arbitrarily cut off. Access to credit is still an issue for many SMEs. When can we expect the credit guarantee Bill to be published?

The Deputy has raised a genuine issue. I do not have a date for the publication of this Bill, but the budget contained a further series of measures for small and medium enterprises to access credit. The Government is focusing on this matter. In addition, as regards the expected end of the bailout on 15 December, Department of Finance officials are working with their German counterparts in respect of having access to credit through the KfW Bank which is a triple AAA-rated German institution. That will present an opportunity.

The Government is concerned about this issue. I am glad that yesterday's employment figures show an improvement but access to credit and proving that it can be drawn down are issues on which we are working diligently.